A new public monument near NASA’s Johnson Space Center is honoring Black astronauts, scientists, engineers and civil-rights leaders whose contributions helped shape America’s space program.

The installation, titled “EarthRise,” was unveiled Sunday on the grounds of St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Nassau Bay, about four blocks from Johnson Space Center. Organizers say it is the Houston area’s first permanent public monument focused on African American pioneers connected to the nation’s space efforts.

The monument recognizes eight people and groups, including astronaut candidates Ed Dwight and Robert Henry Lawrence Jr., scientist George Robert Carruthers, NASA official Ruth Bates Harris, astronaut and physician Bernard Harris Jr., former NASA Administrator Charles Bolden Jr. and NASA Astronaut Group 8. ABC13 reported that organizers created the project to bring greater visibility to people whose work has often received too little public recognition.

According to KPRC 2, EarthRise will remain free and open to the public year-round.